Tactful AI, the Egypt-born startup specializing in AI-powered customer experience solutions, has announced a new chapter in its journey after its founders, Mohamed El-Masry & Mohammed Hassan, reacquired full ownership of the company. extending In 2022, the company was acquired by Dstny, a leading European provider of business communication tools. The acquisition was part of Dstny’s strategy to expand into AI-powered CX. However, following a strategic decision, El-Masry has now reacquired the company, positioning Tactful AI to pursue an independent growth path with renewed focus on regional and international expansion — starting in the Middle East (particularly Saudi Arabia and…
Author: Mohamed Fathy
PALM, Egypt’s first fintech startup offering incentivized goal-based saving, has announced today that the company has successfully closed its pre-seed funding round. The investment round was led by 4DX Ventures with participation from Plus VC and several international angel investors. Personalized Saving Experience PALM offers a seamless and personalized saving experience designed to help users achieve their various life goals, whether to fund basic needs such as education and healthcare, saving for marriage or afford their key purchases such as travel, home appliances and electronics. The platform combines traditional investment tools with modern behavioral nudges, rewarding users for consistency and…
In a strategic move reflecting international confidence in Egypt’s investment climate, El Gamal Group has announced a partnership agreement with the global hotel chain BWH Hotels to launch a new hotel project under the Best Western Plus brand. The hotel will be located directly in front of the Grand Egyptian Museum, one of the most anticipated cultural destinations in the world. Grand Egyptian Museum This step comes as Egypt prepares to inaugurate the Grand Egyptian Museum — the largest cultural project of its kind globally — expected to attract millions of visitors annually. The upcoming hotel will be the first…
Lucidya, the leading AI-powered customer experience management (CXM) platform in MENA, has announced the successful close of its USD30 million Series B round, making it the largest AI investment ever raised in the region. The round was led by Impact46, the Saudi VC behind IPOs like Jahez and Rasan. New participants included Wa’ed Ventures, Aramco’s investment arm for transformative tech; Takamol Ventures, a government-backed digital innovation catalyst; and SparkLabs. Existing investors Rua Growth Fund and ARG also returned, doubling down on their long-term conviction in Lucidya’s trajectory. Lucidya Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Riyadh, Lucidya is one of the…
ACT, a leading Information and Communication Technology (ICT) company with over 35 years of experience, has announced a strategic partnership with Kashier, a prominent provider of financial technology solutions in Egypt. This collaboration aims to introduce integrated, smart payment solutions tailored for the Food and Beverage (F&B) sector, enhancing operational efficiency and elevating the customer experience. Real Value This partnership reflects ACT’s ongoing commitment to embracing new technologies and delivering real value to its customers—particularly in the hospitality industry, where flexibility, accuracy, and efficiency are essential. ACT provides a suite of specialized end-to-end technology solutions for this sector, including Oracle…
Egypt-based property technology (PropTech) platform Nawy has acquired a majority stake in SmartCrowd, a Dubai-based fractional property investment platform, marking its entry into the UAE market and broader GCC expansion. Acquisition However, the company did not disclose other details, including the cost of acquisition. Backed by e&, Nawy’s latest move follows its $52 million Series A fundraising program, part of a $75 million round, from e& Capital, Partech, March Capital Investments (MCI), Endeavor Catalyst, Development Partners International (DPI) Venture Capital via the Nclude Fund, Shorooq, VentureSouq (VSQ), Outliers, Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures (VKAV), HOF Capital, and Plug and Play. SmartCrowd SmartCrowd,…
Huspy just closed a $59 million Series B to double down on operations across the Middle East and expand its European presence, led by existing investor Balderton Capital. In 2022, Huspy raised over $40 million in Series A and an extension from a who’s who of global investors, including Balderton Capital, Founders Fund, and Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India & SEA). Other investors include ExBorder Partners, Turmeric Capital, COTU Ventures, BY Ventures, Dara Management, and KE Partners. The new capital will fuel Huspy’s continued growth in the UAE and Spain and support its launch in Saudi Arabia. Huspy…
PetroApp, the leading independent platform for digital fuel payments, fleet management, and vehicle services, today announced the successful closing of a $50 million investment round led by Jadwa Investment through its GCC Diversified Private Equity Fund, with participation from Bunat Ventures. Cashless Fuel Payment Founded in 2018, PetroApp is Saudi Arabia’s first standalone provider of cashless fuel payment and fleet management solutions, eliminating cash transactions, reducing fraud risk, and delivering real-time cost control for corporate and government fleets. The platform has since expanded to offer ancillary services; including car washes, oil changes, and tire & battery replacements, and continues to enhance…
Aria Ventures, a specialized venture studio focused on building startups, has announced the launch of a 50 million EGP investment to support promising companies in the Deep-Technology sector. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between pioneering research and market applications, enabling deep technological innovations to grow and flourish. Venture Studio Aria Ventures aims to increase this funding to EGP 200 million over the next four years, reinforcing its commitment to supporting deep technological innovation in the region. Aria Ventures operates as a venture studio, concentrating on Deep-Technology innovation across diverse sectors. These sectors include industry, agriculture, healthcare, Artificial Intelligence…
Philip Morris Misr has announced the launch of IQOS ILUMA i in Egypt, the latest and most innovative addition to its portfolio of smoke-free products. As the newest generation of IQOS devices, IQOS ILUMA i reflects PMI’s ongoing commitment to scientific innovation and the development of better alternatives for adult smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke or use nicotine products. This launch reinforces PMI’s global vision for a smoke-free future, leveraging science and advanced technology to deliver nicotine without combustion. “We leverage science, world leading brands and commercial capabilities to provide better alternatives to our consumers” said Ali Nevzat…
Zoho Corp., a leading global technology company, today announced the launch of Zia Hubs in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, a new solution within Zoho WorkDrive, the company’s secure content collaboration platform that enables businesses to extract intelligence from unstructured data and activate it across their operations. Business Data Built on Zia, Zoho’s proprietary AI engine, Zia Hubs allows organisations to connect various types of content—documents, audio, video, and more—to Zoho’s expansive suite of apps for deeper insights, agentic AI capabilities, and unified, context-aware search. “According to IDC, 80 percent of business data is unstructured,” said Hyther…
Bassem Mahmoud, CEO of Banknbox, the region’s leading unified Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform, announced that the company has achieved 600% growth during the first half of 2025. This milestone reflects the accelerating regional adoption of its innovative financial solutions and reinforces the company’s vision to digitally transform the financial sector in alignment with Egypt’s financial inclusion strategy and Vision 2030. Banknbox Expands Regionally This significant leap comes as Banknbox expands regionally, with its recent market entry into Qatar, alongside building a strong network of strategic partnerships with 18 banks and fintechs across 7 countries, offering more than 29 integrated digital financial…
In a significant step reflecting its ongoing commitment to leading digital transformation in the hospitality sector, ACT, a leader in the ICT industry for over 35 years, has announced a strategic partnership with Roboost, the smart delivery management platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Restaurant Management Systems This partnership aims to integrate Roboost’s intelligent solutions with the restaurant management systems offered by ACT, prominently featuring the Oracle Simphony POS. The collaboration will provide a more efficient operational experience for restaurants through AI and machine learning technologies. Roboost acts as an AI-automated delivery management platform, functioning as a smart “co-pilot” for…
iSchool, the leading K-12 AI and coding education platform in the MENA region, has acquired SEEDS, the EdTech division of Egyptian/Saudi software powerhouse Algoriza, in a strategic move aimed at deepening its presence in Saudi Arabia and scaling its corporate education initiatives. Growth The acquisition cements iSchool’s rapid growth trajectory in the Kingdom, giving it immediate access to SEEDS’ operational base, educational partnerships, and a growing student footprint across several regions in Saudi. More significantly, the deal enables iSchool to accelerate its expansion into one of the region’s most promising frontiers: AI and coding upskilling for employees’ children as a…
In a powerful celebration of youth innovation and entrepreneurship, the Orange Corners Egypt programme, an initiative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands marked a new milestone with the graduation of this year’s first cycle from its flagship Delta Cohort. Held at the Embassy of the Netherlands in Egypt in the presence of H.E. Peter Mollema, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and under the auspices of H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, the event brought together government, development, and private sector leaders in support of Egypt’s next generation of entrepreneurs. Partners Joined by…
From April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025, Kaspersky detected over 19 million attempts to download malicious or unwanted files disguised as popular Gen Z games. Over 47,800 such attempts were registered in Turkiye, making it one of the countries most affected by such incidents. With GTA, Minecraft and Call of Duty among the most exploited, it’s clear that cybercriminals are actively following gaming trends to reach their targets. To help players stay safe, Kaspersky is launching “Case 404” — an interactive cybersecurity game that teaches Gen Z how to recognize threats and protect their digital worlds while doing what…
Samsung Electronics Egypt has received a new accolade at the 2025 Africa Artificial Intelligence Summit (AAIS), held during May in Kampala, Uganda. The award honors Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) for its expanding regional impact and meaningful contributions to youth empowerment and digital education across Africa. Samsung Innovation Campus This recognition earned by Samsung Innovation Campus highlights its success in delivering future-oriented training in AI, IoT, big data, programming, and coding. Since its launch in 2019, the program has reached over 1,700 students in Egypt alone, while also operating in several other African countries as part of Samsung’s broader commitment to…
The skyrocketing popularity of Labubu dolls has triggered a wave of scam websites targeting enthusiastic collectors worldwide, with cybercriminals deploying fake online shops in multiple languages to steal payment details. Kaspersky detected hundreds of fraudulent platforms, often posing as legitimate retailers, that entice fans with fake offers on Labubu dolls to harvest sensitive financial information from unsuspecting buyers. Labubu dolls, quirky plush collectibles designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung and sold by Pop Mart stores in “blind boxes,” have captivated global audiences. Buyers do not know which specific doll or design they’ll get until they open it. This element…
Ahmad Elharany, Giza Systems Group CEO, confirmed that Giza Systems Group achieved significant milestones throughout the last two years, backed by solutions by stc, which holds an 88.19% stake in the group. Ambitious Targets Now with the newly announced Group’s vision and ambitious targets, GS Group reaffirms its commitment to customer-centricity, operational excellence, and employee experience. “We are aligning our brand with our strategy to stand for purpose-built innovation, delivery at scale, and a culture that embraces continuous change,” said Elharany during the media roundtable. Designing Smarter He added, “We’re not just delivering technology, we are designing smarter, scalable, and…
Giza Systems, a subsidiary of solutions by stc and a leading digital transformation enabler and systems integrator in the MEA, continues to strengthen its position as a prominent regional powerhouse in the technology field. The company is officially unveiling its new strategy following the appointment of Ahmad Elharany, Giza Systems Group CEO. This announcement was made during a roundtable held by the company at its headquarters in New Cairo, in the attendance of several senior specialized journalists. Ambitious Strategic During the event, the company’s CEO addressed the ambitious strategic plan that GS Group is working on to establish its position…